Supermarket, community centre, pub and sports facilities on way

Advanced negotiations between a house builder and a council means new community facilities should be on the way soon.

Taylor Wimpey’s Willow Lake development in Newton Leys, to the north of Stoke Hammond, will feature approximately 1,650 new homes, alongside the forthcoming facilities, once complete.

Colin Radford, technical director at Taylor Wimpey South Midlands, said: “The community at our Willow Lake development is set to grow even bigger as we are in the advanced negotiation stages of our revised Section 106 agreement.

“We are planning to construct a new community centre with sports facilities, a primary school, a public house, four independent retail units and, subject to the contract being approved, an Asda supermarket as well.

“We are also very pleased that construction will start within the next few weeks of the first of the development’s children’s play areas.

“This will provide a range of play equipment such as swings, slides and a toddlers climbing unit in a protected landscaped area.

“Our plans for new facilities are expected to be finalised in the first quarter of 2016, to enable us to begin construction work at the end of this year and towards the start of 2017 in order to deliver the new buildings on site next year.”

At the moment approximately 780 of the properties at Willow Lake are occupied.

Mr Radford added: “Construction work on the new primary school has already commenced, while we are also committed to delivering a number of allotments off Drayton Road, provided these plans receive final technical and planning approval.”

Taylor Wimpey began building Willow Lake in 2008 and the final phase of homes is expected to be completed in 2024.

The new facilities will be situated off Jersey Drive.

Mr Radford said: “As well as the brand new facilities, Jubilee Lake off Drayton Road is only a short stroll from the development and is a great amenity to have nearby.

“It’s managed by the Taylor Wimpey South Midlands team and offers fishing opportunities throughout the season.”